cabolissa

This is great info. I can't seem to get around the prerequisite courses! So hard to take while working full time and mothering 2 little ones!

I did think of UT at Austin, but theirs is a alternative entry MSN program for BA holders. Otherwise, you're starting from scratch for the BSN program. But I do like the school... I haven't considered AZ. Which program would you recommend???

I've got a BA in an unrelated field, so I'm not interested in getting a BSN at this point, Just my RN. Does anyone know of a good school in Orange County, CA or Austin, TX which has a part or full time RN program? Do they all have the prereq's, or do any of them allow you to take them in the program?

I'm trying to get an idea as to where LVN's are employed, and what salaries are around the country. Particular areas of interest: Orange County, CA and Austin, Texas. Thanks! 1. How much do you make as a LVN/LPN? 2. What is your job? 3. F/T or P/T? 4. What are your hours/shift? 5. Where do you live (city/state)? :nuke:

I'm a professional Paralegal, wife and mommy of two and I want to eventually get my RN, work 3-4 nights per week in L&D or Mother/baby. I have my BA in Liberal Arts, and was looking into a secondary Bachelors/RN program which was f/t 15 months. I like that option, but getting the prerequisites (chem/biophys/anatomy, etc) will take me 2 years before I can enter the program!!!! I've found a part-time LVN program which may be an option, but I've become discouraged with what I've read about not being able to work in hospitals, or in the practice areas I mentioned. As the primary breadwinner of my family, I need to make at LEAST $45K/year. Is this unrealistic for California? Are hospitals not hiring LVN's? I don't want another M-F 8-5 job, or I'd stay with my present career. Is it also unrealistic to expect an employer to pay for LVN-RN program? How hard is it to work in a different state (we're considering moving from CA to TX in the next couple years)?

thanks for your opinion on #3, but frankly, if you didn't have anything to add why respond? "do some job hunting and find out"????? isn't that what these boards are all about? and yes, you did misunderstand #1, because i never mentioned working 3 night shifts while in school full time... thanks again, anyway... no need to reply further.

1- you misunderstood me here... what i was asking is whether it's common that hospitals hire someone as a full-time employee (ie, w/benefits) if they work only 3 nightshifts per week. rather than having to work per diem and picking up shifts here and there. i'm looking for a stable schedule. 2- i understand that rn and a bsn is not comparing apples2apples. i guess i should have said adn vs bsn. wondering if there's much of a pay difference between an rn w/adn vs w/bsn. if so, do you think having a ba will assist here? 3- i agree, once i start working, i want to only focus on that... 4 & 5 - thanks anyway.

Hi everyone. I'm a Paralegal with a BA who's considering going back to school to become a Nurse (Neonatal or Pediatrics). I'm interested in working 3 night shifts/week and spend more time with my 2 kids during the week. I'm currently taking prerequisites at the local community college (Chem, bio, anatomy & physiology). My questions are: 1- How realistic is it to be employed "Full time" while working 3 night shifts/wk? 2- Should I get my BSN or my RN - in other words, will my BA count for anything? 3- Should I get the RN, start working and then get my BSN? I'm wondering if any of my BA credits will transfer at this point like they will now - with no RN. 4- As I'm a contributing member of the family, can I go on "loans" to cover living expenses for a RN program or just for the BSN program? 5- Are there any part-time RN programs for working professionals in Southern CA??? Thanks!!! :typing

Thanks so much for all the info. I'll look into the A&M option, but do you have to be local to do that option? I'd love an entirely online choice, but haven't found one. When I'm ready to move that way, I'll get in touch with you. My email is [email protected]. Please email me and introduce yourself!

Wow, that's a little scary about the pay. Do you know a good source of information for salaries nationwide? Also, UT's prerequisite chart offers some online options. Are you familiar with any of these?

Thank you so much for your input. It's in line with my initial assesment. I've just applied to volunteer at the local children's hopital so I can get a better feel for the departments. Thank's for the info on the MS.

Thanks! Actually, I live in Orange County CA and have been considering a relocation to Austin area (Round Rock) because of it's cost of living. We were planning on moving there in August 2009, but I might postpone that by a year to attend Concordia's program. It's quite stressful trying to complete 5 prereq's while working F/T and mothering my 2 kids (and DH)! How did you do it?

Mission Hospital, Mission Viejo is the absolute BEST! I've also hear great things about St. Joseph's in Orange, and Hoag in NB. But not good things about Saddleback Hospital. (My sister had one of each of her 3 kids in each, I had a baby at Mission). Mission and St. Josephs have Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) attached, so they're great hospitals if you may want to transition into pediatrics later. Sorry, my info is limited to OC.

I'm currently trying to decide which program fits my needs more, UT's AE MSN or Concordia University's (Irvine, CA) AE BSN (12 months) program. I'm not sure I'm ready to commit to 4-5 more years of college (what with prereq's and working F/T after the 1st year while school P/T). Also, the BSN program only requires 5 prereqs that I don't yet have, and the MSN requires me to complete 8 more plus the GRE. In the end, I'm just wondering how much it will affect my paycheck/overall job satisfaction. My area of interest is: labor/delivery, NICU, PICU - some form of mother and/or baby. I have two kids (12 and 1) so that's why I'm a bit scared of the MSN program. I figure that I could always go back to complete my MSN later, or once I have the RN, BSN I could do it online at my own convenience. Or, maybe I'll decide I don't need it. Just worried, is a RN, BSN enough these days??? Can anyone give me insight to the three fields and general advice?

Yes, I'm currently trying to decide which program fits my needs more, UT's AE MSN or Concordia University's (Irvine, CA) AE BSN (12 months) program. I'm not sure I'm ready to commit to 4-5 more years of college (what with prereq's and working F/T after the 1st year while school P/T). Also, the BSN program only requires 5 prereqs that I don't yet have, and the MSN requires me to complete 8 more plus the GRE. In the end, I'm just wondering how much it will affect my paycheck/overall job satisfaction. My area of focus will be: labor/delivery, NICU, PICU - some form of mother and/or baby. That was the easy part for me! I also have two kids (12 and 1) so that's why I'm a bit scared of the MSN program. I figure that I could always go back to complete my MSN later, or once I have the RN, BSN I could do it online at my own convenience. Or, maybe I'll decide I don't need it.